“…the debate has not ended, it has only begun. It won’t only be led by the people behind me, but I believe across this nation it is going to be a healthy debate on policy. I look forward to working with those individuals, and also listening to the nation to solve health care so that it will actually empower Americans to make their own decisions.”

TRANSCRIPT:

“This decision raises the question, ‘is the patient going to have the power in the decision making process, or are you going to have a form of government-run health care?’ This is the debate that will drive this House and drive this nation.

“But the debate on health care goes much deeper than just access or the cost in a time when America is facing forty consecutive months of unemployment above eight percent. I am very fearful – in my discussions with small business owners, that the decision today is going to determine decisions they make for creating jobs.

“The economy won’t be turning around because this health care plan harms the economy. The Congressional Budget Office’s own studies have confirmed that this plan risks taking Americans off their current health care plan and it will raise the cost.

“So the debate has not ended, it has only begun. It won’t only be led by the people behind me, but I believe across this nation it is going to be a healthy debate on policy. I look forward to working with those individuals, and also listening to the nation to solve health care so that it will actually empower Americans to make their own decisions.”